There are days (or a seemingly endless series of days) that make us feel that we desperately need God more than ever. There are moments that just seem like forever. In Psalm 143, King David shares how he was having one of those difficult moments–he was at a loss. He humbly begged God for help, knowing quite well that none of us deserve God’s goodness–and that includes himself, a king.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Psalm 143:1-2 KJV
Overwhelmed, weary, and discouraged, he reached out his hand before God, asking for deliverance. While waiting for God’s answer, King David took a walk down memory lane to remember God’s goodness.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
Psalm 143:5 KJV
Running to God for help and remembering His goodness helped King David stay grounded despite being in a tough spot… despite feeling that he needed God’s deliverance right away. It sounded like he was on the verge of losing it!
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Psalm 143:7 KJV
Why am I sharing this today? Earlier this week, I shared how overwhelmed I was, with a deadline coming up, a sick kid, and many other curve balls that come and go as a part of life. Just after rejoicing that our son was finally healed, many other moving parts suddenly came to play, trying to hinder me from reaching my deadline. Severe thunderstorms. Hail. I got sick. My husband had to work late. The kids were getting restless. And some. I had only a few hours left until the deadline. I had to cancel my appointment. The one “last chance” I had to meeting the deadline–or, so I thought.
Panic set in. I prayed. I prayed for God to take my fear away. I asked for peace. I asked for His help yet again. As soon as I accepted that I had to cancel what seemed to be my last chance, God gave me the clarity that I needed to just keep working and to work with what I already had. I submitted my work–not just to my client but first, to God.
Here you go, LORD. Here is my best using what I’ve got.
I waited for my client’s response. I received the much awaited email this morning. I was told my work is “beautiful”.
Amazing. Simply amazing. I had gotten myself all worked up yesterday for nothing.
God showed me yet again not to lean on my own understanding–to fully trust Him even when things had suddenly took a wild turn to appear impossible. Even the easiest projects could seemingly turn impossible. A reminder to all of us that we are always at God’s mercy, and it is only by His grace that we can do the impossible.
He gave me clarity.
He gave me purpose.
He gave me peace amid the severe thunderstorms of life (literally).
My dear friend, are you faced with an insurmountable burden that seems impossible to bear?
If God cares enough to take care of my small little-bitty problem from earlier this week, He certainly cares about your much bigger problem. He cares about YOU!
He has faithfully seen me through all of my problems, both big and small. I know in my heart that He will see you through it, too.
Ask Him to see you through.
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
Psalm 143:8-12 KJV
Take action: While waiting for His answer, let’s remember the goodness and faithfulness of God even amidst the trials of life. If you haven’t yet received God’s goodness of salvation–His gift–in your life, this page shows you how.
Thank you for that helpful devotional thoughts, I can relate, it also happened to me about the same time. This verse in Ps. 61:2 helped me to keep on keeping on: “…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” And when His help came, what joy to the ailing heart!